An eaves tile is the tile in the bottom course of a tiled roof, at the eaves, which closes off the gap between the sarking and the tiling at the lowest point of the slope. The bottom row is known as the eaves course. In Dutch the tile is called an onderpan, and the term also covers the lower, hollow tile in an under-and-over tile covering.
Why the bottom course is different
Because tiles lap over one another, the bottom course sits differently from every course above it. There are two common solutions:
- A purpose-made shorter eaves tile that lands correctly on the fascia line
- A raised first batten (a tilting fillet), which lifts a standard tile to the right pitch — the usual approach with modern concrete and clay tiles
The eaves detail also includes:
- An eaves comb or bird comb — keeps birds and vermin out of the roof space while letting air through
- An eaves tray or drip edge — carries water from the underlay into the gutter
- Sufficient ventilation opening on a ventilated tiled roof, so air can move from the eaves to the ridge
Under-and-over tiling
The term also refers to the lower tile in an under-and-over covering, known from monk-and-nun and Mediterranean roofs, where two tile types alternate:
- The under tiles lie hollow side up and form the drainage channels
- The over tiles are laid inverted across the joints between them
Water falling on the over tiles runs into the channels of the under tiles and down to the gutter. This works only above a sufficient pitch; the manufacturer states a minimum pitch for each tile type.
Points to watch
- Eaves tiles carry the highest wind load on the roof — the bottom course should always be mechanically fixed with tile clips or screws
- The tile should project far enough into the gutter, but not so far that water overshoots the back of the gutter; about a third of the gutter width is a common guide
- When replacing a single tile, always check that the batten and counter-batten beneath are still sound
Related terms
- Eaves
- Ridge tile
- Verge tile
- Tile batten
- Counter batten
- Pantile
- Bird comb
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